Union Gas officials say the gas leak that led to the evacuation of a north-side neighbourhood has been repaired, and police confirm that the evacuation order has been lifted.
Thunder Bay Police Service officers and Thunder Bay Fire and Rescue firefighters began evacuating people away from the site of a gas leak on Red River Road, near Rupert Street, Thursday morning. Roads near the gas leak, including Rupert, Elizabeth, High and Beresford Streets were closed off to traffic as a result of the leak.
Traffic is still disrupted in the area of Red River Road near Rupert Street, and police said just after 3 p.m. that it may remain that way for several more hours.
Just after 1:30 p.m., police added that no vehicles would be allowed in the area of High Street, Bay Street, Ray Boulevard and Van Norman Street.
This announcement came about one hour before Union Gas officials stated that the leak had been fixed.
“It’s a serious event because of the gas leak,” said Thunder Bay Fire and Rescue Chief John Hay soon after the evacuation began.
He added that the evacuation is an exercise in using extra precaution, and that the road closures could last for “hours.”
City transit buses were dispatched to the area to assist in the evacuation, and some of the area evacuees were sent to the Oliver Road community centre.
